I have received this error message at first when using Ghost 14, then in an attempt to repair it, I then bought Systemworks Basic and received the same error message.
After three failed attempts to use Ghost to copy my Vista programs and settingsto new hard drive, one attempt with Ghost tech support remote control and two of my own attempts leading to more self-revelations, the Ghost tech support recommended discussing my issue with HP tech support for the computer and Samsung tech support for the hard drive.
After lengthy chat session with HP, I then discovered that the HP computer recovery CDs I bought for $20 and postage didn't include the full Vista recovery environment needed to repair the master partition table. My phone tech support with Samsung also was fruitless as I was forwarded to the hard drive section, but as soon I was going to leave a voice message, the connection closed (ominous sign).
During HP tech support chat, their person sent me a link to a partition repair utilitiy but I decided that I had better wait to apply that software to my computer. Upon google search, I ended up at NeoSmart who provides an Vista Recovery Disk ISO has the features not included in my HP recovery CDs.
And now for slight aside regarding Ghost tech support, the very first tech support who didn't remote control my computer recommended that I use "Copy My Hard Drive" which subsequently failed. The second tech used "Copy Drive" under remote control which also failed.
After doing my own research, I am thinking that I have to repair Vista using the NeoSmart Vista Recovery ISO.
My question is how likely is it that I will be able to repair the master partition table using the ISO, then use Ghost to copy this hard drive to new hard drive? Has anyone else experienced this situation?
I am also considering the possibility that the computer might have come to me with this major hard drive problem.